The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team, representing the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has a rich history in NCAA Division I college basketball. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the team has claimed numerous accolades, including a pre-tournament national championship in 1915 and a non-NCAA tournament national championship in 1943. The Fighting Illini have made 32 appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, reaching 5 Final Fours, 9 Elite Eights, and clinching 18 Big Ten regular season championships.
The team's home games are hosted at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's campus in Champaign. Under the leadership of Athletic Director Josh Whitman, the program has seen significant success, with a noteworthy emphasis on the coaching prowess of Brad Underwood. The Illinois Basketball Coach has also given the shape of the team.
Illinois Men's Basketball Head Coach 2024
Brad Underwood's impact as the Illinois Basketball Coach is undeniable. Under his tutelage, the Fighting Illini have witnessed a remarkable resurgence, ascending to national prominence once again.
Brad Underwood's leadership has reinvigorated Illinois Basketball, returning the Fighting Illini to the national spotlight and establishing a championship-caliber program during his tenure in Champaign. Underwood, the 18th head coach in Illinois history, was appointed as the Richmond Family Endowed Men’s Head Basketball Coach in March 2017.
Brad Underwood Physical Attributes
Table of Physical Attributes
| Attribute | Description |
| Age | 60 years old, as of November 2024 |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | 200 pounds |
Brad Underwood Height
Brad Underwood standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches.
Brad Underwood Weight
Brad Underwood weighs in at 200 pounds.
Illinois Basketball Head Coach Year by Year
Reflecting on the history of Illinois Basketball, it's imperative to acknowledge the contributions of the esteemed head coaches who have guided the program through the years. From Elwood Brown to Brad Underwood, each coach has left an indelible mark on Fighting Illini basketball.
Among the luminaries in the pantheon of Illinois Basketball coaches, names like Lou Henson and Bill Self stand out for their remarkable achievements. Henson, with a record 423-224, and Self, boasting a staggering winning percentage of .765, have etched their names in Fighting Illini lore, leaving an enduring legacy of excellence and achievement.
| Coach | Years | Conference Record | Winning Pct | Overall Record | Winning Pct | Conference Titles |
| Elwood Brown | 1905–1906 | 3–6 | .333 | 6–8 | .426 | 0 |
| Frank L. Pinckney | 1906-1907 | 0–8 | .000 | 1–10 | .090 | 0 |
| Fletcher Lane | 1907–1908 | 6–5 | .545 | 20–6 | .769 | 0 |
| Herb Juul | 1908–1910 | 10–10 | .500 | 12–10 | .545 | 0 |
| Thomas E. Thompson | 1910–1912 | 10–13 | .435 | 14–14 | .500 | 0 |
| Ralph Jones | 1912-1920 | 64–31 | .674 | 85–34 | .714 | 2 |
| Frank Winters | 1920–1922 | 14–10 | .583 | 25–12 | .676 | 0 |
| J. Craig Ruby | 1922–1936 | 94–74 | .559 | 148–95 | .609 | 2 |
| Douglas R. Mills | 1936–1947 | 88–47 | .652 | 151–66 | .696 | 3 |
| Harry Combes | 1947–1967 | 174–104 | .626 | 316–150 | .678 | 4 |
| Harv Schmidt | 1967–1974 | 43–55 | .439 | 89–77 | .536 | 0 |
| Gene Bartow | 1974–1975 | 4–14 | .222 | 8–18 | .308 | 0 |
| Lou Henson | 1975–1996 | 214–164 | .566 | 423–224 | .654 | 1 |
| Lon Kruger | 1996–2000 | 38–28 | .576 | 81–48 | .623 | 1 |
| Bill Self | 2000–2003 | 35–13 | .729 | 78–24 | .765 | 2 |
| Bruce Weber | 2003–2012 | 92-65 | .586 | 210-101 | .675 | 2 |
| John Groce | 2012–2017 | 37–53 | .411 | 95–75 | .559 | 0 |
| Jamall Walker | 2017 | 0–0 | .000 | 2–1 | .667 | 0 |
| Brad Underwood | 2017-current | 80-58 | .580 | 144-88 | .621 | 1 |
Illinois Men Basketball Coaching Staff 2024
Behind every successful basketball program is a cohesive and dedicated coaching staff. Under Brad Underwood's leadership, the Illinois Basketball Coaching Staff is a formidable force, ensuring the team's continued success.
Here's the table for the provided 2024-25 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff:
| # | Name | Title |
| 1 | Brad Underwood | Richmond Family Endowed Men’s Head Basketball Coach |
| 2 | Orlando Antigua | Assistant Head Coach |
| 3 | Geoff Alexander | Assistant Coach |
| 4 | Kwa Jones | Assistant Coach |
| 5 | Zach Hamer | Assistant Coach |
| 6 | Tyler Underwood | Assistant Coach |
Assistant Coach
Geoff Alexander: Assistant Coach
Elevated to the position of assistant coach in May 2021, Geoff Alexander has been an integral part of the Illini staff. His contributions include scouting reports, game and practice preparations, offensive and defensive implementation, player development planning, and video analysis.
Zach Hamer: Assistant Coach
Elevated to the position of assistant to the head coach in August 2021, Zach Hamer has been a crucial part of the Illini staff. His tenure aligns with the winningest two-year Big Ten run in program history.
Tyler Underwood: Assistant Coach
Joining the Fighting Illini staff in June as director of recruiting and scouting, Tyler Underwood is a recent addition with a deep understanding of the program, having been part of the resurgence of Illini Basketball.
Illinois Men Basketball Support Staff 2024
Beyond the coaching staff, a dedicated support staff is essential for the smooth operation and optimal performance of a basketball program. The Illinois Men's Basketball Support Staff.
Here's the table for the provided 2024-25 Men's Basketball Support Staff:
| # | Name | Title |
| 1 | Adam Fletcher | Strength & Conditioning Coach |
| 2 | Joey Biggs | Assistant Athletic Director, Operations |
| 3 | Patrick Bittle | Video Coordinator |
| 4 | Paul Schmidt | Athletic Trainer |
| 5 | Courtney Bay | Director of Branding and Creative Media |
| 6 | Nicole Anderson | Office Administrator |
FAQ's On Illinois basketball coach
A. Brad Underwood is the head coach of Illinois men's basketball.
A. Illinois competes in the Big Ten Conference in men's basketball.
A. Lou Henson and Bill Self stand out in Illinois Basketball history.
A. Joey Biggs serves as the Assistant Athletic Director of Operations.
A. Geoff Alexander became an assistant coach in May 2021.
